By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

An all-expense paid trip to Tampa, Florida, is up for grabs for 100 Tampa residents.

“Visit Tampa Bay,” a tourism promotion group is offering the trips, complete with bus transportation from Tampa, Kansas, to Kansas City International Airport; a charter flight to Florida; rooms in a downtown Tampa, Florida hotel; and a welcome reception with dignitaries, including the mayor.

Tickets to area attractions will be provided, but transportation to the events will not. Meals will be at travelers’ expense.

“We are inviting the whole town of 100 people,” said Vanessa Evans, director of public relations for Visit Tampa Bay.

County commission chairman David Mueller, one of the first people contacted in June when Visit Tampa Bay pitched the idea of the trip, called the proposal “An awesome opportunity.”

Application deadline already has passed. Tampa city council members picked up the applications, met Monday evening, and will contact winning applicants before forwarding the list to Visit Tampa Bay.

“I’m hoping lots of families and kids can go,” Mueller said. “It’s very generous of Tampa Bay.”